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Tuesday, 29 August 2017

SUPPORT THE WORKERS AT McDONALD'S. SHARE WIDELY PLEASE AND POST WIDELY.

It’s on! Get behind the 4 September #McStrikePosted on 21/08/2017McDonald’s workers balloted at Crayford (south east London) and Cambridge stores have voted by an incredible 95.7 percent for strikes, and their BFAWU bakers’ union has now named Monday 4 September as the first strike day.A strike committee of workers met and decided to go for the date for their historic action–the first ever strike at McDonald’s in the UK.The workers taking this bold step need the URGENT solidarity of the wider trade union movement. Please give generously now to their strike fund HEREPlease also rush messages of support, encouragement and solidarity for the workers to fastfoodrights@mail.comAlready, just by voting to strike and organising in the union, the workers have gained an impressive shift from McDonald’s–who have stated only now after the strike vote that by the end of 2017 they will implement the twice promised offer of a guaranteed hours contract to every UK McDonald’s worker. The workers and BFAWU rightly want this signed off, but it is a major victory for the some 80,000 workers at McDonald’s and shows what getting organised, joining a union and taking action can do.The strike remains on, over a number of grievances at the two workplaces, and the workers are also fighting for £10 an hour minimum wage now, union recognition, and for the demand on scrapping zero hours contracts to be implemented.What’s happening and how you can support?Pass this #McStrike MODEL MOTION to back the strikeGive urgently and generously to the #McStrike FundOn the Saturday before the strike, 2 September, BFAWU is holding a protest at McDonald’s HQ in East Finchley, north London. We are calling on solidarity from the wider movement on this day, with banners, collections etc, brought along in support. Join and share the Facebook page for the protest HERE.On the day of the strike, Monday 4 September, workers at the Cambridge site will picket from 6 – 7am, while workers at the Crayford site will picket from 6 – 7.30am.The strikers and their supporters will then come together outside parliament at 10.30/11am for a rally, speakers include Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell. Stay posted for details of what will be happening after the rally. We are asking for maximum support possible with banners and supporters gathering at the rally, and for local activists and anyone who can to show their support at picket lines where possible too.Outside London, we are calling for solidarity protests/ leafletings at McDonald’s stores in localities (see list of those organised so far below and send us details of any your planning). Guidance for solidarity actions on the day:HERE is a leaflet for workers in the store. Placards to use on the day are: #McStrike placard1 and #McStrike placard2Mostly we’d like a visible presence with the materials OUTSIDE the store, with at some point a couple of activists going in to leaflet the workers on shift, and if they sign the petition, for any contact details to be sent to the campaign centrally so we can follow up. It’s important to make sure the workers know any presence is fully supportive of the workers.Contacting local MPs, councillors, community campaigns and union branches etc is always good, and sometimes getting any supporters from there to say a few words on a megaphone outside is useful to show the broad base of support for the workers.It’s always good to take pictures and short videos so they can be shared and give the workers taking action more confidence. We are @FastFoodRights on twitter, and will be using #McStrike and #FastFoodGlobal , so it’s good to have someone or a few people allocated to make sure pictures and videos are tweeted there so the impact of the solidarity action is greater. Please send the details of any local action once they are ready to fastfoodrights@mail.com and we will publicise on the website.#McStrike #McSolidarity protests on 4 September:LONDONMcDonald’s @ King’s Cross / Pentonville RoadAt lunchtime, 12PM-2PM, there will be a McStrike solidarity demonstration with friends and comrades from different unions and community campaigns across Central London. It will be outside the McDonald’s in King’s Cross (302-304 Pentonville Road, Kings Cross N1 9XD). Come along to show some solidarity, to inform workers, customers and passers-bys about the strike. Together we can make this strike powerful in our communities too, and let McDonald’s workers know there is a strong movement with them! Join the Facebook page for the event HEREMANCHESTER5pm, McDonald’s ManchesterPicadilly Gardens Mcdonalds, M1 1LY ManchesterJoin the Facebook page HEREBIRMINGHAM5 PM – 6 PM, McDonalds Unit 4 Cherry StreetTemple Row, Birmingham, B2 5ALJoin the Facebook page HERESHEFFIELDGleadless Valley branch of Heeley (Sheffield) CLP and Sheffield Needs a Pay Rise campaign are organising solidarity action for 4 September at McDonald’s branch in Heeley constituency, probably 2 stints one lunchtime and one tea time. More details to follow.CARDIFF5 PM – 7 PM, Mcdonalds, Queen street12-14 Queen St, W2 4 CardiffJoin the Facebook page HEREMILTON KEYNESMilton Keynes Monday 4 Septemberfrom 12pm McDonalds, the Centre MK, 52-56 Midsummer Blvd.Organised with Unite Community and MK Momentum